In 2004 "Make Up the Breakdown" won Favourite Album at the Canadian Independent Music Awards by popular vote. Guitarist Dante DeCaro announced his departure from the band in October 2004, but stayed to complete their next album, and in 2005 joined Montreal band Wolf Parade. That album "Elevator", the band's major label debut, was released commercially by Warner Bros. In April 2005, Dante handed guitar duties over to replacement Luke Paquin when the band started their 2005 tour.

Hot Hot Heat played an opening set for American synth rock group The Killers at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on May 17, 2007. However, The Killers were forced to pull out after three songs because lead singer Brandon Flowers was suffering from bronchitis.

The follow up to "Elevator," "Happiness Ltd.," was released on September 11, 2007. In late March 2007, the band posted the song 'Give Up?' on their MySpace page as a sample of the album, and it was released on iTunes as a single on May 15. A second single entitled 'Let Me In' was released on July 16.

Hot Hot Heat toured in 2007 with Snow Patrol as their opening act on the U.S. leg of their summer tour. Their headlining tour of Germany, Canada and U.S. started September 3, 2007.

'Let Me In' debuted on KROQ at number 8. On August 8, 2007, the music video for 'Let Me In' premiered on Myspace Music. Also, on September 6, 2007, Hot Hot Heat posted their new album on their MySpace.

The band spent most of 2008/2009 recording and constructing their own studio and thrashing their take on what they do with best- synth-trashed, dance-throbbed anthems. Experimenting with 5/4 disco grooves and electro loops they went into the studio with producer/musician Ryan Dahle from Limblifter/Age of Electric awhile doing a brief Canadian tour opening for Bloc Party. Parker Bossley (from Fake Shark - Real Zombie!) also became their newest bassist. Their latest album, "Future Breeds" was released June 8, 2010 through their current label Dine Alone Records.